Boat restrictions implemented near Boston to protect whales News
Angelo_Giordano / Pixabay
Boat restrictions implemented near Boston to protect whales

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) implemented new boat restrictions on water east of Boston on Monday to protect migrating North Atlantic right whales.

NOAA announced a new voluntary vessel speed restriction zone after North Atlantic right whales were spotted 18 nautical miles east of Boston. The whales are currently migrating along the Atlantic coast of the United States.

With only an estimated 400 remaining, North Atlantic right whales are one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. They are currently protected under the US Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

With the implementation of the new restrictions, there are now three voluntary slow speed zones and three mandatory zones. Mariners are asked either to go around or to go less than 10 knots inside the areas in which the whales have been spotted. These restrictions remain in place until March 29.

THIS DAY @ LAW

District of Columbia named seat of US government

On July 16, 1790, the District of Columbia was established as the permanent seat of the United States government by the Residence Act. Originally the district contained land on both sides of the Potomac, grants from Maryland and Virginia, but in the mid-19th century, when it was obvious that the major government buildings were being built on the Maryland side, Virginia asked for its land back and received it. Learn more about the District of Columbia.

Saddam Hussein becomes President of Iraq

On July 16, 1979, Hasan al-Bakr resigned as President of Iraq. He was replaced by Saddam Hussein, who held power until he was deposed by American forces in 2003. In 2006, Hussein was tried and convicted of crimes against humanity. He was executed by hanging later that year. Learn more about relations between the United States and Saddam Hussein from George Washington University.